A Generation of Emotion

Character and Emotion. For me this generation stands for more than tech, and multiplayer. More than the rise of the app store and the stumble of motion controls. This was a generation where emotion is being pushed to the front of the gaming experience. Journey and the Walking Dead succeeded because of this. Those games did not have cutting edge tech powering them, their character models were simple yet effective. Instead both games focused on their style and experience.

Retro games have a strong focus on mechanics or gameplay hooks. Mario is about jumping, Sonic is about speed, Punch-Out!! focused on pattern memorization and timing. Some of the most successful classic games remain relevant because of that strong focus. Graphics, story-telling, and gameplay have evolved significantly since Super Mario Bros., and yet people still return to that game (or one of its' sequels) because that focus on design and simple gameplay is timeless. As games continue evolving, gameplay and user input has grown more complex. While I believe intuitive and deep controller input is preferable to overly complex layouts, this is not always the case.

Now games can tell moving stories, present memorable imagery, and even inspire thought and discourse. This is of course nothing new (Final Fantasy VII is a shining example of strong narrative for many), but never has it been this refined. Look at Tomb Raider, the latest entry in this franchise succeeds in part because of how much the designers use Lara to draw the player in. She is beautifully rendered, expressive, and is in constant danger (and even pain). The game frequently shifts the camera to show her face as she clings to cliff sides, or crawls through rock crevices. This causes us as players to emphasize and care about her. We see her struggle as a person, not as a digital avatar.

Bioshock Infinite uses similar tricks with Elizabeth, though in that game she is much like Clementine from the Walking Dead. A character we are meant to care for in a supporting role. We push the protagonist forward because of these incredibly expressive and believable supporting roles. It would appear there are more games coming out this year with strong human narratives and well rounded characters to pull us along. This is where games should focus going forward.

When we speak about the evolution of the industry, we are not asking for higher resolution textures or more twitter connectivity. We want this medium to become a strong avenue for interactive narrative, for others to realize how powerful a story can be when you can interact with it. There will always be a place for puzzles, multiplayer shooters, and angry birds (and a very lucrative one). After all, we still have trashy romance novels, and summer blockbusters. I hope that as game designers learn to craft more emotionally endearing stories and characters, that players take notice. They don't just buy the next game console because it has tons of ram, or facebook integration. They look to see which designers and companies present the richest narratives, which games were most memorable, and look to where those designers are supported. I may go see a star wars movie because I like the franchise, but I also take the time to see what my favorite directors and actors are working on.

This generation is finishing with powerful, emotionally driven narratives; let's hope the next Gen. begins in the same place.